Over the years, I've come to realize that I would rather spend more on groceries to get good quality whole foods, than spend later on medication / by losing quality of life.

In my opinion there is 3 main pillars of health :

Sleep, Nutrition, Exercise.

Then of course there is stress management, emotional health etc...

I find that a lot of people, when they ask advices on how to get healthier, they complain about the cost of groceries associated with better quality foods (in general).

Of course there are health disparities and I wish it was not the case, but due to poverty, some people don't even have access to enough foods for their needs...let alone making "healthy" food choices.

But for others, spending more for healthier foods, is a choice. Some people decide to spend their money on alcohol, cigarettes, social events, restaurants...

Personally, I try to invest in health :

► I've never smoke,

► I don't drink any alcohol (drank during 4 years occasionnaly from 18 to 22 years old),

► I don't go out regularly and I almost never go to the restaurant (only on very rare occasions, i.e. when there is a birthday party for example, when travelling...),

► I don't spend much on a fashion wardrobe.

Rather, I do :

► Exercise daily (unless injured or sick), Invest in exercising meaning I do take a part of my budget for : equipments/gym membership/clothes...

► Design my environnement / schedule so I can exercise

► Optimize my sleep (it could mean : getting a comfortable mattress, pillow, sheets, try to sleep in a dark room, try to sleep in a cool room so ideally between 60 and 72F, try to go to bed at the same time everyday, take supplements to reduce anxiety and to promote better sleep when necessary, try to reduce blue light at the end of day, remove/reduce stimulant consumption in general...)

► Invest in good nutrition (it can mean : choosing organic if possible, bring lunch at work/when travelling or when I won't be able to eat all my meals at home, make sure I have plenty of fruits and vegetables,good protein source, a high omega-3 diet, pastured raise eggs...)

► Reduce stress (or try to manage it, and emotional health)

Of course those are not rules and perfection is not the goal,but for me these are my guidelines and I try to keep them in mind.

What do you think? Do you think we have choice to invest in health?